Adult disposable absorbent articles and arrays comprising improved product lengths

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, an array of packages may comprise two or more different sizes of disposable absorbent articles. The Array Average Length Difference of at least the first and second absorbent articles in the array is less than about 65 mm and greater than about negative 10 mm. In another embodiment, a disposable absorbent article may have a Product Length is within about +/−40 mm of the Target Rise.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit, under 35 USC 119(e), to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/059,457 filed on Oct. 3, 2014,which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to disposable absorbent articles andarrays of disposable absorbent articles which are designed to fitdifferent adult body sizes, shapes and types, and as such are sized tofit a broad range of adult consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Body Rise is one of the key body dimensions used by tailors for pantyand trouser design. For adult incontinent articles, the product fitrelative to the wearer's navel and back are influenced by the wearersBody Rise, the Product Length and the Bulk in the Crotch, as illustratedin FIGS. 2A and 2B. Product designs which utilize knowledge of the BodyRise over the range of consumers they are intended to fit, willinherently provide a better, more comfortable and more conforming fit.Today's marketed adult incontinence articles rely on a combination ofwaist, hip, and weight, neglecting the Body Rise. It is important forfit and comfort to design products wherein the length is not excessive,nor too short. Waist fit that is too low or too high can have a negativeimpact on performance, comfort, sagging and discretion. Knowing thetargeted waist range, the targeted hip range and the targeted weightrange of a given population, then determining the appropriate Body Riserange of that population may ensure proper design of the Product Lengthto cover the desired consumer range.

The appropriate Body Rise or “Target Body Rise” can be determined byknowing the Target BMI, as there is a relationship between BMI and BodyRise as illustrated in FIG. 4. The Target BMI can be determined byknowing the Target Waist, Target Hip, and Target Weight (or anycombination of these) as there is a relationship between each of thesemeasures and BMI. These are illustrated in FIGS. 5-8.

Additionally, designing the Product Length to be closer to the TargetBody Rise becomes increasingly important as advances in technology occurleading to for example, absorbent cores that become increasinglythinner, narrower, and more flexible. Thinner, narrower and moreflexible cores may result in reduced Bulk in the Crotch. Simply statedthe Bulk in the Crotch associated with the absorbent core when on thebody, adds to the Body Rise and impacts the product length. The greaterthe Bulk in the Crotch the longer the product length needs to be to fitthe intended Body Rise and vice versa, as the Bulk in the Crotch isreduced, the Product Length needs to be shortened in order to maintainthe same fit relative to the navel and back of the consumer, asillustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Adult incontinence (“AI”) absorbent articles of the present disclosuremay be used to absorb and contain liquid and other discharges from thehuman body to prevent the body and clothing from becoming soiled. Foradults who suffer from urinary incontinence, urine voiding consists oftwo general types: stress urinary incontinence (“SUI”) and urge urinaryincontinence (“UUI”). SUI is caused by high pressure on the bladderinduced by coughing, sneezing, laughing, bending, etc., and can resultin a high flow rate though at a smaller urine volume that is associatedwith UUI. UUI can result in a full bladder release, though at a lowerflow rate than that associated with SUI.

Adult Incontinence articles come in a variety of designs, each typicallyavailable in multiple sizes, including 2, 3 and 4 size arrays. The sizeof articles of the prior art typically affects, for example, the size ofthe waist opening, the size of the openings around the thighs, and thelength or “pitch” of the article. Many of these prior art articles aredesigned to fit ranges up to 100 pounds. The prior art articles aretypically sized and sold by waist circumference dimension. The varioussizes can have a range in waist circumference of as much as 12 inchesand in some cases up to 16 inches. If a consumer selects an adultincontinence article of the prior art which is size appropriate based onthe waist circumference dimension of the wearer given the large rangesassociated with the various sizes, the thigh openings or pitch of thearticle, for instance, may be too large for proper fit on the wearer,potentially leading to slipping, sliding, sagging, drooping, or a lossof gasketing effects that are designed to inhibit leakage.Alternatively, depending on where the wearer is within the large sizerange, the thigh opening or pitch of the article may be too small forproper fit, potentially leading to wearer discomfort, skin marking ofthe wearer's skin or improper application or positioning of the articleon the wearer.

Desirably, an adult absorbent article should be designed and sized tomaintain contact with and conform as closely as possible to a wearer'sbody. Such a body-conforming design may increase the effectiveness ofthe adult absorbent article by reducing the possibility that urine, orthe like, may spread or travel along the wearer's body and leak out ofrather than be absorbed into the adult absorbent article. However,current adult absorbent articles on the market do not adequately addressbody shape or product shape and therefore do not fit a broad range ofusers adequately or provide the desired level of close fit. Typically AIpackages of adult absorbent articles are labeled with a recommendedwearer waist circumference range that the packaged article is intendedto fit. As a result, the waist circumference is often the sole criteriaused to identify the size of an AI article. The waist size does not initself adequately describe the body shape of the individual andtherefore does not help define the hip or thigh circumference nor thepitch that may be needed to provide the proper fit, comfort, coverageand gasketing of the article. This is the case even though othercharacteristics and anthropometric attributes of potential wearers (forexample, age, height, weight, thigh circumference, and Body Rise) mayvary widely within the recommended waist circumference range, and mayresult in an ill-fitting article even though a wearer's waistcircumference falls within that range. There is a need for adultabsorbent articles that conform well to various wearers' body shapes andsizes. While there is a wide range of body shapes and sizes among women,available products do not reflect this wide range; rather, absorbentarticles available today within a given product array tend to be scaledversions of each other, and do not even follow the natural trend of bodyshape and dimensional changes across the range of consumers, i.e.smaller to larger women as well as women of varying shape.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is on the rise globally for both men and women. Inthe U.S. alone, more than ⅓ of adult females are now considered obese(BMI>30). This has changed significantly over the past 30 years; in 1980only about 16% of U.S. adult females were obese. Larger women exhibitdifferent ratios of body anthropometrics than smaller women, i.e., allbody dimensions do not simply scale-up as women get larger. In addition,women across the range of BMI may also have very different body shapes.There is a lack of recognition and understanding of this issue bycurrent adult absorbent article manufacturers and as such consumers'needs are not being adequately met. Therefore, there is a need todevelop adult absorbent articles for a wide variety of body shapes andsizes in order to provide an improved level of fit and contact betweenthe body and the adult absorbent article to reduce the occurrenceleakage and improve the overall fit, comfort, coverage and discretion ofthe article. There is a clear need for adult absorbent articles whichare designed for variety of wearers based on their BMI and body shape.There is also a need to communicate to wearers the benefits of suchcustomized adult absorbent articles in an easy-to-understand manner(e.g., some women may not understand what BMI is or know their BMInumber), which is not off-putting (e.g., without stigmatizing orembarrassing women based on their BMI).

These are all objects of the present disclosure; embodiments of thepresent disclosure may combine various objects mentioned. A particularembodiment may, but need not, embody every object as described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pant diaper with a continuous belt in thefront and back waist regions.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the relationship between where a product fits onthe body, how much bulk is in the crotch region of a product, and theProduct Length.

FIG. 3 shows Body Rise against a female body shape.

FIG. 4 is a chart which shows the relationship between Target Body Riseand Target BMI.

FIG. 5 is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI andTarget Weight.

FIG. 6 is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI andTarget Waist.

FIG. 7 is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI andTarget Hip.

FIG. 8 is a chart which shows the relationship between Target BMI andTarget Thigh.

FIG. 9 is a chart which shows the Target Body Rise and examples of RiseLimits

FIG. 10 is a chart which shows examples of existing and inventiveproduct arrays, and how their Product Lengths compare to the Target BodyRise for each product in the array.

FIG. 11 shows how the general female body shape changes as BMIincreases.

FIG. 12 depicts the variability of female body shapes within each BMIclass.

FIG. 13 is a partially cut away plan view of a pant diaper with a pairof flaps, wherein the wearer-facing interior of the diaper faces theviewer.

FIG. 14 is a partially cut away plan view a pant diaper with front andrear flaps, wherein the garment-facing exterior of the diaper faces theviewer.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 1 whereinbelts connect opposing waist regions.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 13 whereinflaps connect opposing waist regions.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view the pant diaper shown in FIG. 14 whereinside seams connect the flaps and opposing waist regions.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross section view taken along line 18-18 in FIG.13 of an example of a folded outer leg cuff suitable in one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross section view of a back belt-like flapsuitable in one embodiment of the invention, taken along line 19-19 ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

“Pull-on garment” or “pant” means articles of wear which have a definedwaist opening and a pair of leg openings and which are pulled onto thebody of the wearer by inserting the legs into the leg openings andpulling the article up over the waist.

“Disposable” means garments, which are not intended to be laundered orotherwise restored or reused as a garment (i.e., they are intended to bediscarded after a single use and to be recycled, composted or otherwisedisposed of in an environmentally compatible manner). The pull-ongarment may be “absorbent” such that it absorbs and contains the variousexudates discharged from the body.

“Closed form” means opposing waist regions are joined to form acontinuous waist opening and leg openings. See FIGS. 15-17.

“Array” means a display of packages comprising disposable articles ofdifferent sizes having like article constructions (e.g., sameelastomeric materials [compositionally and/or structurally] in theflaps, graphic elements) said packages having the same brand and/orsub-brand, and said packages oriented in proximity to each other in agiven area of a retail store. An array is marketed as a line-up ofproducts normally having like packaging elements (e.g., packagingmaterial type, film, paper, dominant color, design theme, etc.) thatconvey to consumers that the different individual packages are part of alarger line-up. Arrays often have the same brand, for example, “Depend,”and same sub-brand, for example, “for Women Underwear.” A differentarray may have the brand “Depend” and the sub-brand “Silhouette ForWomen.” The differences between the “for Women Underwear” array and the“Silhouette For Women” arrays include different elastomeric materials inthe side flaps, where “for Women Underwear” comprises strands as theelastomeric material and “Silhouette For Women” comprises a filmelastomeric material.” Furthermore, the packaging is distinctlydifferent in that “for Women Underwear” is packaged in a predominatelygreen, film bag and “Silhouette For Women” is packaged in apredominately maroon box.

Further regarding “Arrays,” as another example of two separate “arrays”having the same brand, “Certainty,” one line-up has the sub-brand“Women's Underwear.” A different array may have the same brand“Certainty” and the sub-brand “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women.” Thedifferences between the “Women's Underwear” array and the “Smooth ShapeBriefs for Women” arrays include different elastomeric materials in theside flaps, where “Women's Underwear” comprises strands as theelastomeric material and “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” comprises afilm elastomeric material.” Furthermore, the packaging is distinctlydifferent in that “Women's Underwear” is packaged in a predominatelyblue, film bag and “Smooth Shape Briefs for Women” is packaged in apredominately maroon box.

Arrays also often have the same trademarks, including trademarks of thebrand, sub-brand, and/or features and/or benefits across the line-up.

“On-line Array” means an “Array” distributed by a common on-line source.

“Hip” means the circumference of the body at the level of the maximumposterior protuberance of buttocks.

“Waist” means the horizontal circumference of the waist at the level ofthe center of the navel (omphalion).

“Thigh” means the circumference of the thigh at its juncture with thebuttock, the measurement made perpendicular to the long axis of thethigh.

“Product Length” means the way it is described in the TEST METHODSsection below.

“Body Rise” means the surface distance from omphalion (center of navel)to the subjects back at the level of the navel measured through thecrotch and over the middle of the buttock. See FIGS. 2A and 2B.

“Crotch Width” means the lateral spacing between the thighs at theirjuncture with the body as shown in FIG. 3.

“Bulk in Crotch” means the bulk of the product at the crotch of theconsumer. It is influenced by: the Crotch Width of the consumer; thelateral width of the product as defined by the lateral edges 137 a and137 b; the lateral width of the absorbent core 200; the thickness of thecore 200; the capacity of the absorbent core 200 at the crotch; volumeof fluid stored in the absorbent core 200 at the crotch.

“Target Waist” means for a product with a recommended waist range, themid point of that recommended waist range.

“Target Hip” means for a product with a recommended hip range, the midpoint of that recommended hip range.

“Target Weight” means for a product with a recommended weight range, themid point of that recommended weight range.

“Target Thigh” means for a product with a recommended thigh range, themid point of that recommended thigh range.

“Target BMI from Waist” is determined from the Target Waist and is shownin FIG. 6. It is calculated by:

(Target BMI from Waist)=a+b×(Target Waist)×ln(Target Waist)

Where:

Target Waist: is in units of mm

Target BMI: is in units of kg/m²

a=−2.483×10⁻¹

b=4.625×10⁻³

“Target BMI from Hip” is determined from the Target Hip and is shown inFIG. 7. It is calculated by:

(Target BMI from Hip)=a+b×(Target Hip)×ln(Target Hip)

Where:

Target Hip: is in units of mm

Target BMI: is in units of kg/m²

a=−15.517

b=6.010×10⁻³

“Target BMI from Weight” is determined from the Target Weight and isshown in FIG. 5. It is calculated by:

(Target BMI from Weight)=a+b×(Target Weight)×ln(Target Weight)

Where:

Target Weight: is in units of kg

Target BMI: is in units of kg/m²

a=7.879

b=6.525×10⁻²

“Target BMI from Thigh” is determined from the Target Thigh and is shownin FIG. 8. It is calculated by:

(Target BMI from Thigh)=a+b×(Target Thigh)×(Target Thigh)^(2.5)

Where:

Target Thigh: is in units of mm

Target BMI: is in units of kg/m²

a=8.979

b=1.868×10⁻⁶

“Target BMI” means the Target BMI from Waist if a waist range isrecommended (e.g., from a package of absorbent articles). If a waistrange is not recommended then the Target BMI means the Target BMI fromHip if a hip range is recommended. If neither a hip range nor a waistrange is recommended, then Target BMI means the Target BMI from Weightif a weight range is recommended. If neither a waist, hip nor weightrange is recommended, then Target BMI means the Target BMI determinedfrom a panty size if a panty size is recommended. If a panty size is notrecommended, then the Target BMI is determined from the clothing size ifa clothing size is recommended. See Tables 1-5 for examples.

“Target Body Rise” is determined from the Target BMI and is shown inFIG. 4. It is calculated by:

(Target Body Rise)=a+b×(Target BMI)^(0.5)×ln(Target BMI)

Where:

Target Body Rise: is in units of mm

Target BMI: is in units of kg/m²

a=404.324

b=13.142

Table 1 shows an example of how the Target BMI and Target Body Rise aredetermined for absorbent articles where a waist range and a weight rangeare recommended.

TABLE 1 Establishing the Target Body Rise for Always Discreet Underwear(Maximum Absorbency) Establishing the Target Body Rise Target TargetAlways Discreet Underwear Target Target Target BMI from BMI from TargetTarget Weight Target Waist Weight Weight Waist Weight BMI Body Rise SizeWaist (in) (lbs) Waist (in) (mm) (lbs) (kg) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (mm)S/M 28-40 115-190 34 864 153 69.2 26.8 27.0 26.8 628 L 35-50 170-260

45 1080 215 97.5 34.6 37.0 34.6 678 XL 48-64 200-300 56 1422 250 113.447.5 42.9 47.5 754Table 2 and Table 3 show examples of how the Target BMI and Target BodyRise are determined for absorbent articles where a waist range, a hiprange and a weight range are recommended.

TABLE 2 Establishing the Target Body Rise for Depend for Women Underwear(Maximum Absorbency) Establishing the Target Body Rise Depend for TargetTarget Target Women Underwear Target Target Target Target Target TargetBMI from BMI from BMI from Target Target Waist Hip Weight Waist WaistHip Hip Weight Weight Waist Hip Weight BMI Body Rise Size (in) (in)(lbs) (in) (mm) (in) (mm) (lbs) (kg) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (kg/m²)(mm) S/M 28-40 34-45 115-190 34 364 40 1016 153 69.2 26.8 26.8 27.0 26.8628 L 38-50 44-54 170-260

44 1118 49 1245 215 97.5 36.0 37.8 37.0 36.0 687 XL 48-64 48-64 200-30056 1422 56 1422 250 113.4 47.5 46.5 42.9 47.5 754

TABLE 3 Establishing the Target Body Rise for Depend Silhouette Briefsfor Women (Maximum Absorbency) Establishing the Target Body Rise DependSilhouette Target Target Target Briefs for Women Target Target TargetTarget Target Target BMI from BMI from BMI from Target Target Waist HipWeight Waist Waist Hip Hip Weight Weight Waist Hip Weight BMI Body RiseSize (in) (in) (lbs) (in) (mm) (in) (mm) (lbs) (kg) (kg/m²) (kg/m²)(kg/m²) (kg/m²) (mm) S/M 28-40 34-46 115-190

34 864 40 1016 153 69.2 26.8 26.8 27.0 26.8 628 L/XL 38-50 44-54 170-30044 1118 49 1245 235 106.5 36.0 37.3 40.4 36.0 687Table 4 and Table 5 show examples of how the Target BMI and Target BodyRise are determined for panty and clothing sizes where a waist range anda hip range are recommended.

TABLE 4 Example of Establishing the Target Body Rise from Women's PantySizes Establishing the Target Body Rise Target Target Target Target BMITarget BMI Target Target Women's Panty Size Chart Target Waist Hip Hipfrom Waist from Hip BMI Body Rise Size Waist (in) Hips (in) Waist (in)(mm) (in) (mm) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (mm)  4 (XS) 23-24 33-34 23.5 59733.5 851 17.4 19.0 17.4 561  5 (S) 25-26 35-36 25.5 648 35.5 902 19.121.4 19.1 574  6 (M) 27-28 37-38 27.5 699 37.5 953 20.9 23.7 20.9 587  7(L) 29-30 39-40 29.5 749 39.5 1003 22.7 26.2 22.7 600  8 (XL) 31-3241-42 31.5 800 41.5 1054 24.5 28.6 24.5 612  9 (2XL) 33-34 43-44

33.5 851 43.5 1105 26.3 31.0 26.3 625 10 (3XL) 35-36 45-46 35.5 902 45.51156 28.1 33.5 28.1 637 11 (4XL) 37-38 47-48 37.5 953 47.5 1207 30.035.9 30.0 649 12 (5XL) 39-40 49-50 39.5 1003 49.5 1257 31.8 38.4 31.8661 13 (6XL) 41-42 51-52 41.5 1054 51.5 1308 33.7 40.9 33.7 673 14 (7XL)43-44 53-54 43.5 1105 53.5 1359 35.6 43.4 35.6 684 15 (8XL) 45-46 55-5645.5 1156 55.5 1410 37.4 45.9 37.4 696

TABLE 5 Example of Establishing the Target Body Rise from Women'sClothing Sizes Establishing the Target Body Rise Target Target Women'sClothing Size Chart BMI from BMI from Target Target Waist Waist Hip BMIBody Rise US EU UK AU (cm) Hip (cm) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (kg/m²) (mm) 0 34 664 84 18.9 18.5 18.9 572 2 36 8 68 88 20.3 20.3 20.3 582 4 38 10 72 9221.7 22.2 21.7 592 6 40 12 76 96 23.1 24.1 23.1 602 8 42 14 80 100

24.5 26.0 24.5 612 10 44 16 84 104 25.9 27.9 25.9 622 12 46 18 88 10827.3 29.3 27.3 632 14 48 20 92 112 28.8 31.7 28.8 641 16 50 22 96 11630.2 33.7 30.2 651

“Rise Limit” is defined as a fixed distance from the Target Body Rise asis shown in FIG. 9.

“Length Difference—Product Length to Target Body Rise (also called‘Product Length Difference’)” is the difference between the ProductLength and the Target Body Rise for a given product.

“Percent Difference—Product Length to Target Body Rise (also called‘Product Percent Difference’)” is the percentage difference between theProduct Length and the Target Body Rise for a given product.

“Array Average Length Difference—Product Length to Target Body Rise(also called ‘Average Array Length Difference’)” means the averageProduct Length Difference of each size offered in a product array. Forexample, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency) is marketedand sold in an array of 3 sizes. Small/Medium; Large and Extra Large.The Average Array Length Difference is the average of the Product LengthDifference for size small/medium; the Product Length for size Large; andthe Product Length Difference for size Extra Large.

“Array Average Percent Difference—Product Length to Target Body Rise(also called ‘Average Array Percent Difference’)” means the averageProduct Percent Difference of each size offered in a product array. Forexample, the Depend Underwear for Women (Maximum Absorbency) is marketedand sold in an array of 3 sizes. Small/Medium; Large and Extra Large.The Average Array Percent Difference is the average of the ProductPercent Difference for size Small/Medium; the Product Percent Differencefor size Large; and the Product Percent Difference for size Extra Large.

Consumers who are urinary incontinent often are traumatized by thecondition. Many aspects of the condition contribute to the trauma, likethe fear of having an incontinent event in public. Even when wearing anabsorbent article, there is still the fear of leaking, and the fear ofher absorbent article being noticeable under her clothes. As suchproviding a product experience that helps normalize the condition byproviding a more underwear-like, thin and body conforming structureacross the entire BMI range is one of the objects of the presentdisclosure.

The body mass index (BMI) is a classification system for body shapesbased upon height and mass. BMI may be calculated as follows:

${BMI} = {\frac{{weight}\mspace{11mu} ({kg})}{{height}\mspace{11mu} (m)^{2}} = \frac{703*{weight}\mspace{11mu} ({lb})}{{height}\mspace{11mu} ({in})^{2}}}$

The BMI comprises different classes of body mass, including: underweight(BMI<20), normal weight (BMI 20-25), overweight (BMI 25-30), obese (BMI30-40), and morbidly obese (BMI>40).

FIG. 11 illustrates how the general female body shape changes as BMIincreases. FIG. 12 illustrates a variety of specific shapes that mayexist within each BMI class: rectangle (also known as cylindrical),hourglass, pear, and apple. The higher her BMI, the further to the right(toward the apple) a woman typically is on this body shape scale. Theprevalence of these shapes differs among BMI ranges, for instance,higher BMI women have a higher probability of being apple or pearshaped. Adult absorbent articles may be marketed to women of aparticular body shape, such as apple, rather than focusing on exact BMIvalues (which may be off-putting to a consumer), in order to match awearer with the article that may best fit her unique body shape or size.

One region where the shape of the female body changes as BMI gets higheris in the Target Body Rise. The Target Body Rise gets larger on averagefor larger women. FIG. 4 illustrates how the Target Body Rise increasesas BMI increases.

It may be desirable to link the Product Length to the Target Body Risein order to achieve a better fitting, better conforming, bettergasketing product. This may increase the wearing comfort for eachconsumer while reducing leakage. As absorbent cores become thinner,narrower, more flexible and improve in their ability to distribute fluidmore broadly, the Bulk in the Crotch may be reduced both dry and wet. Asthe Bulk in the Crotch is reduced, the Product Length needs to beshortened in order to maintain the same fit relative to the navel andback of the consumer, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Shortening theProduct Length will reduce the Length Difference—Product Length toTarget Body Rise. Additionally, a product array where the Array AverageLength Difference—Product Length to Target Body Rise is reduced maydeliver a better fitting, better conforming better gasketing article toeach consumer, in particular as absorbent cores become thinner,narrower, more flexible and more functional, i.e. increased liquiddistribution.

Table 6 (below) details some of today's marketed product arrays. FIG. 10shows how the Product Length of these arrays compare to the Target BodyRise of the consumers each product is intended to fit. The greater theLength Difference—Product Length to Target Body Rise and PercentDifference—Product Length to Target Body Rise are, the less conformingthe product may be, in particular through the crotch of the consumer.The result of this mismatch is that the products provide an inferiorlevel of fit, comfort, coverage and gasketing across much of the BMIrange than products that are designed in line with the anthropometricmeasures across the same BMI range.

TABLE 6 Examples of Existing Product Arrays Showing Difference BetweenProduct Length & Target Body Rise Array Average Array Average PercentPercent Length Length Difference - Difference - Difference -Difference - Product Length Product Length Product Length Product LengthTarget BMI Target Body Rise Product Length to Target Body to Target Bodyto Target Body to Target Body (kg/m²) (mm) (mm) Rise Rise Rise (mm) Rise(mm) Depend for Women Underwear Moderate Absorbency size S/M 27 628 720115% 113% 92 37 size L 36 687 790 115% 103 size XL 48 754 820 109% 66Depend Silhouette for Women Briefs Maximum Absorbency size S/M 27 628670 107% 111% 42 73 size L/XL 36 687 790 115% 103 Always DiscreetUnderwear Moderate Absorbency size S/M 27 628 700 112% 114% 72 93 size L35 678 780 115% 102 size XL 48 754 860 114% 106Table 7 below illustrates examples of inventive arrays of 3, and 4packages, whose Product Lengths better match the Target Body Rise of theconsumers that they are targeted to fit and thereby provide better fit,comfort and coverage while reducing the chance of leakage. Theseinventive arrays are provided simply as non-limiting examples. Otherinventive arrays are possible within the scope of this disclosure. Theseinventive arrays are also shown in FIG. 10.

TABLE 7 Examples of Inventive Product Arrays Showing Difference BetweenProduct Length & Target Body Rise Array Average Array Average PercentPercent Length Length Difference - Difference - Difference -Difference - Product Length Product Length Product Length Product LengthTarget BMI Target Body Rise Product Length to Target Body to Target Bodyto Target Body to Target Body (kg/m²) (mm) (mm) Rise Rise Rise (mm) Rise(mm) Example Inventive Array # 1 size XS 21 585 658 113% 109% 73 56 sizeS/M 27 628 658 105% 30 size L 36 588 754 110% 66 Example Inventive Array# 2 size XS 21 585 614 105% 107% 29 44 size S/M 27 628 666 106% 38 sizeL 36 688 736 107% 48 size XL 48 755 815 108% 60

Absorbent Article

The absorbent articles of the present disclosure are generally designedand configured to manage bodily exudates such as urine, menses, feces orother vaginal discharges.

In one embodiment, an absorbent article may comprise a chassiscomprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed atleast partially between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbentchassis may comprise a waistband, leg cuffs and or elastic strands. Invarious embodiments, referring to FIG. 1, an example absorbent article10 is shown in its flat uncontracted state prior to joining thefastening components 53 a and b (illustrated in FIG. 17).

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, one end portion of the absorbentarticle 10 may be configured as a front waist region 36 and thelongitudinally opposing end portion may be configured as a back waistregion 38. An intermediate portion of the absorbent article 10 extendinglongitudinally between the front waist region 36 and the back waistregion 38 may be configured as a crotch region 37. In one embodiment,although not illustrated as such, the length of each of the front waistregion 36, the back waist region 38 and the crotch region 37 may beabout ⅓ of the length of the absorbent article 10, for example. In otherembodiments, the length of each of the front waist region 36, the backwaist region 38, and the crotch region 37 may have other dimensions. Invarious embodiments, the absorbent article 10 may have a laterallyextending front waist end edge 136 in the front waist region 36 and alongitudinally opposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 138in the back waist region 38.

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a chassis 100 of the absorbentarticle 10 may comprise a first longitudinally extending side edge 137 aand a laterally opposing and second longitudinally extending side edge137 b. Both of the side edges 137 may extend longitudinally between thefront waist end edge 136 and the back waist end edge 138. The chassis100 may form a portion of the laterally extending front waist end edge136 in the front waist region 36 and a portion of the longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending back waist end edge 138 in the backwaist region 38. Furthermore, the chassis 100 may comprise an interiorsurface 102, an exterior surface 104, a longitudinal axis 42, and alateral axis 44. The longitudinal axis 42 may extend through a midpointof the front waist end edge 136 and through a midpoint of the back waistend edge 138, while the lateral axis 44 may extend through a midpoint ofthe first side edge 137 a and through a midpoint of the second side edge137 b.

In various embodiments, a portion of or the whole absorbent article 10may be made to be laterally extensible. The extensibility of theabsorbent article 10 may be desirable in order to allow the absorbentarticle 10 to conform to a body of a wearer during movement by thewearer. The extensibility may also be desirable, for example, in orderto allow the caregiver to extend the front waist region 36, the backwaist region 38, the crotch region 37, and/or the chassis 100 to provideadditional body coverage for wearers of differing size, i.e., to tailorthe absorbent article 10 to the individual wearer. Such extension mayprovide the absorbent article 10 with a generally hourglass shape, solong as the crotch region 37 is extended to a relatively lesser degreethan the waist regions 36 and/or 38. This extension may also impart atailored appearance to the absorbent article 10 during use.

Any or all portions of the absorbent article may comprise abacteriophage composition as described in U.S. Ser. No. 61/931,229,titled DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT ARTICLES COMPRISING BACTERIOPHAGES ANDRELATED METHODS, and filed on Jan. 24, 2014.

Topsheet

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 1 and 19, the absorbent article 10may comprise a topsheet 81. The topsheet 81 may be compliant, softfeeling, and non-irritating to the wearer's skin and may be elasticallystretchable in one or more directions. Further, the topsheet 81 may beliquid pervious, permitting liquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runnyfeces) to penetrate through its thickness. Various topsheets may alsocomprise a hydrophilic material, for example, which is configured todraw bodily fluids into an absorbent core of the chassis 100 when thesefluids are expelled from the body. A suitable topsheet 81 may bemanufactured from a wide range of materials, such as woven and nonwovenmaterials, apertured or hydroformed thermoplastic films, aperturednonwovens, porous foams, reticulated foams, reticulated thermoplasticfilms, and/or thermoplastic scrims, for example. Suitable aperturedfilms may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,135,4,324,246, 4,342,314, 4,463,045, 5,006,394, 5,628,097, 5,916,661,6,545,197, and 6,107,539.

Apertured film or nonwoven topsheets typically may be pervious to bodilyexudates, yet non-absorbent, and have a reduced tendency to allow fluidsto pass back through and rewet the wearer's skin. Suitable woven andnonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers, such as, for example,wood or cotton fibers, synthetic fibers, such as, for example,polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers, or combinationsthereof. If the topsheet 81 comprises fibers, the fibers may bespunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown, hydroentangled, or otherwiseprocessed, for example, as is generally known in the art.

The topsheet may comprise a skin care lotion. Examples of suitablelotions include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,607,760; 5,609,587; 5,635,191; 5,643,588; and 5,968,025, and asdescribed in U.S. Application No. 61/391,353.

In one embodiment, the topsheet may comprise graphics (e.g., 116 in FIG.15) such that depth perception is created as described in U.S. Pat. No.7,163,528.

Backsheet

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, for example, theabsorbent article 10 may comprise a backsheet 83. The backsheet 83 maybe impervious, or at least partially impervious, to fluids or bodyexudates (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) and may bemanufactured from a thin plastic film, although other flexible liquidimpervious materials may also be used. The backsheet 83 may prevent thebody exudates or fluids absorbed and contained in an absorbent core ofthe absorbent article 10 from wetting articles which contact theabsorbent article 10, such as bedsheets, pajamas, clothes, and/orundergarments. The backsheet 83 may comprise a woven or nonwovenmaterial, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films of polyethylene orpolypropylene, and/or a multi-layer or composite materials comprising afilm and a nonwoven material (e.g., having an inner film layer and anouter nonwoven layer). A suitable backsheet may comprise a polyethylenefilm having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051mm (2.0 mils). Examples of polyethylene films are manufactured by ClopayCorporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation BR-120 andBR-121, and by Tredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind., under thedesignation XP-39385.

One suitable material for the backsheet can be a liquid imperviousthermoplastic film having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.50 mil)to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils), for example including polyethylene orpolypropylene. Typically, the backsheet can have a basis weight of fromabout 5 g/m² to about 35 g/m². The backsheet can be typically positionedadjacent the outer-facing surface of the absorbent core and can bejoined thereto. For example, the backsheet may be secured to theabsorbent core by a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patternedlayer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots ofadhesive. Illustrative, but non-limiting adhesives, include adhesivesmanufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A., andmarketed as HL-1358J. An example of a suitable attachment deviceincluding an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986. Another suitable attachment device includingseveral lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiral pattern isillustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,911,173; 4,785,996; and 4,842,666. Alternatively, the attachmentdevice may include heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment device orcombinations of these attachment devices.

In one embodiment, the backsheet 83 may be embossed and/ormatte-finished to provide a more cloth-like appearance. Further, thebacksheet 83 may permit vapors to escape from the absorbent core of theabsorbent article 10 (i.e., the backsheet 83 is breathable) while stillpreventing, or at least inhibiting, fluids or body exudates from passingthrough the backsheet 83. In one embodiment, the size of the backsheet83 may be dictated by the size of the absorbent article 10 and thedesign or configuration of the absorbent article 10 to be formed, forexample.

Absorbent Core

In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the absorbentarticle 10 may comprise an absorbent core (also referred to as an“absorbent member” or “absorbent assembly” or “absorbent structure” or“absorbent composite”) 200 that is disposed between the topsheet 81 andthe backsheet 83. The absorbent core 200 may comprise a laterallyextending front edge 236 in the front waist region 36, a longitudinallyopposing and laterally extending back edge 238 in the back waist region38, a first longitudinally extending side edge 237 a, and a laterallyopposing and second longitudinally extending side edge 237 b. Both ofthe side edges 237 may extend longitudinally between the front edge 236and the back edge 238. In one embodiment, more than one absorbent core200 or more than one absorbent core layer may be provided in anabsorbent article 10, for example. The absorbent core 200 may be anysuitable size or shape that is compatible with the absorbent article 10.Example absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core 200 of thepresent disclosure that have achieved acceptance and commercial successare described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678; 4,673,402; 4,888,231; and4,834,735.

In one embodiment, suitable absorbent cores may comprise cellulosicairfelt material. For instance, such absorbent cores may comprise lessthan about 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or even 1% of the cellulosic airfeltmaterial as determined by weight. Additionally, such an absorbent coremay be primarily comprised of an absorbent gelling material in amountsof at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or even about 100% asdetermined by weight. Furthermore, a portion of the absorbent core maycomprise a microfiber glue (if applicable). Such absorbent cores,microfiber glues, and absorbent gelling materials are described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,599,335; 5,562,646; 5,669,894; 6,790,798; and 7,521,587 andin U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2004/0158212.

In one embodiment, the core, including multiple layers making up thecore system, may be printed and embossed as described in U.S. Pat. No.8,536,401.

In one embodiment, the core may be separable from the chassis asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,989,006; 7,381,202; 7,175,613; 7,824,386;7,766,887; and 6,989,005. In such embodiments, the measurementsdescribed in this disclosure may be made to the chassis alone or may bemade to the chassis in combination with the separable core/absorbentassembly.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article of the present disclosure, andparticularly, a portion where the absorbent member is disposed, may havea body fluid absorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to U.S. Pat.No. 6,649,810. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810, the expression “theportion (of the absorbent article) where the absorbent member isdisposed” is intended to mean the portion occupied by the absorbentmember when the absorbent article is flatly unfolded and seen in itsplan view.

In one embodiment, the absorbent structure may have an intake factorgreater than 3 according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,373, wherein the intakefactor is defined as the absorbent core permeability divided by thenormalized retention capacity (which is defined by the RetentionCapacity Test—also according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,373).

In one embodiment, the absorbent composite has a body fluid absorptiongreater than 75 g/100 cm², according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,649,810.

In one embodiment, a target location of the absorbent article may have awicking value greater than 36%, according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,960.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a bending stiffnessbetween 0.05-1.0 gf, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,796.

In one embodiment, the absorbent article may have a crotch fluidabsorption rate greater than 3 g/sec according to U.S. Pat. No.6,649,810. In one embodiment, a freeze-dried composite of the absorbentcomposite may have an intake rate of at least about 1.9 cubiccentimeters (cc) of liquid/second at 80% composite saturation accordingto U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,934.

In some embodiments the absorbent core 200 may comprise channels asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,568,566; U.S. Pub. Nos. 2012/316046,2014/027066, 2014/163500, 2014/163506, 2014/163511, 2012/316526,2012/316527, 2012/316528, 2012/316529, 2012/316523, 2014/163501,2014/163502, 2014/163503 and European Pub. Nos. 2532328, 2532329,2717823, 2717820, 2717821, 2717822, 2532332, 2740449, and 2740452.

Leg Cuffs

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the chassis 100 of theabsorbent article 10 may comprise longitudinally extending and laterallyopposing leg cuffs 147 a and 147 b that are disposed on the interiorsurface of the chassis 100 that faces inwardly toward the wearer andcontacts the wearer. The leg cuffs 147 a and 147 b may comprise one ormore elastic gathering members disposed at or adjacent the proximal edgeof one or both of the leg cuffs 147. In addition, the elastic gatheringmembers of the leg cuff may also comprise one or more elastic strands146 disposed at or adjacent the distal edge of one or both of the legcuffs 147. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise severalembodiments for reducing the leakage of body exudates or fluids in theleg regions. The elasticized leg cuffs 147 are sometimes referred to asleg bands, barrier cuffs, elastic cuffs, or gasketing cuffs. Suitableelasticized leg cuffs 147 may comprise those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,860,003, 4,909,803, 4,695,278, 4,795,454, 4,704,115, and 4,909,803,and U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2009/0312730. The leg cuffs 147 may be formed byfolding portions of the chassis 100 laterally inward, i.e., toward thelongitudinal axis 42, to form both the respective leg cuffs 147 and theside edges 137 a and b of the chassis 100. In other embodiments, the legcuffs 147 may be formed by attaching an additional layer or layers tothe chassis 100 at or adjacent to each of the respective side edges 137a and 137 b of the chassis 100. In one embodiment, the chassis 100 mayalso comprise other elastics disposed adjacent the side edges 137 whichmay cause the article 10 to form into a “U” shape when allowed to relaxthereby pulling the interior surface 102 of the front waist region 36toward the interior surface 102 of the back waist region 38.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may comprise a proximal edge 157 aand 157 b. These edges 157 a and 157 b are positioned proximate to thelongitudinal axis 42 compared to distal edges 139 a and 139 b. The legcuffs 147 may overlap the absorbent core 200, i.e., the proximal edges157 a and 157 b lie laterally inward of the respective side edges 237 aand 237 b of the absorbent core 200. Such an overlapped configurationmay be desirable in order to impart a more finished appearance to theabsorbent article 10 than that imparted by a non-overlappedconfiguration. In other embodiments, the leg cuffs 147 may not overlapthe absorbent core 200.

In one embodiment, each leg cuff 147 may be attached to the interiorsurface 102 of the chassis 100 in a leg cuff attachment zone (not shown)adjacent to the front waist end edge 136 and in a longitudinallyopposing leg cuff attachment zone (not shown) adjacent to the back waistend edge 138. In one embodiment, between the leg cuff attachment zones,the proximal edge 157 of the leg cuff 147 remains free, i.e., notattached to the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100 or to theabsorbent core 200. Also, between the longitudinally opposing leg cuffattachment zones, each leg cuff 147 may comprise one or more(specifically including one, two, three, or four elastic strands per legcuff 147) longitudinally extensible cuff elastic gathering members 159that may be disposed at or adjacent to the proximal edge 157 of the legcuff 147 by any suitable methods. Each of such cuff elastic gatheringmembers 159 may be attached over the leg cuff's entire length or overonly a portion of the leg cuff's length. For example, such cuff elasticgathering members 159 may be attached only at or near the leg cuff'slongitudinally opposing ends and may be unattached at the middle of theleg cuff's length. Such cuff elastic gathering members 159 may bedisposed in the crotch region 37 and may extend into one or both of thefront waist region 36 and the back waist region 38. For example, anelastic gathering member 159 may be attached at or adjacent to theproximal edge 157 of each of the leg cuffs 147 and extends into both thefront waist region 36 and the back waist region 38.

In various embodiments, each cuff elastic gathering member 159 may beenclosed inside a folded hem for example. In various embodiments, thecuff elastic gathering members 159 may be sandwiched between two layersforming the leg cuff 147, by two layers of the chassis 100, or may beattached on a surface of the chassis 100 or the leg cuff 147 and remainexposed.

In one embodiment, when stretched, the cuff elastic gathering member 159disposed adjacent to each leg cuff's proximal edge 157 allows the legcuff proximal edge 157 to extend to the flat uncontracted length of thechassis 100, e.g., the length of the chassis 100. When allowed to relax,the cuff elastic gathering member 159 contracts to pull the front waistregion 36 and the back waist region 38 toward each other and, thereby,bend the article 10 into a “U” shape in which the interior of the “U”shape may be formed by the portions of the article 10 that are intendedto be placed toward the body of the wearer (i.e., interior surface 102).Because each of the proximal edges 157 remains free between thelongitudinally oriented leg cuff attachment zones, the contractive forceof the elastic gathering member 159 may lift the proximal edge 157 ofthe leg cuff 147 away from the interior surface 102 of the chassis 100.This lifting of the proximal edges 157 when the article 10 is in therelaxed condition lifts the leg cuffs 147 into a position to serve asside barriers to prevent, or at least inhibit, leakage of bodilyexudates.

Examples of acceptable leg cuffs 147 are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No.13/457,521, filed Apr. 27, 2012, including the configurations disclosedby FIGS. 8a-t of the '521 application.

Waistband

In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 14, the article 10 may comprise anelasticized waistband 112 a and b. The elasticized waistband may provideimproved fit and containment and may be configured to elastically expandand contract laterally to dynamically fit a wearer's waist. Theelasticized waistband may extend longitudinally outwardly from the waistedge of the absorbent article 10 toward the waist edge of the absorbentcore 200. In one embodiment, the absorbent article 10 may have twoelasticized waistbands, one positioned in the back waist region 38 andone positioned in the front waist region 36, although other pantembodiments may be constructed with a single elasticized waistband. Theelasticized waistband may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595 and5,151,092.

In one embodiment, the elasticized waistbands may comprise materialsthat have been “prestrained” or “mechanically prestrained” (i.e.,subjected to some degree of localized pattern mechanical stretching topermanently elongate the material). The materials may be prestrainedusing suitable deep embossing techniques. In other embodiments, thematerials may be prestrained by directing the material through anincremental mechanical stretching system as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,330,458. The materials may then be allowed to return to theirsubstantially untensioned condition, thus forming a zero strain stretchmaterial that is extensible, at least up to the point of initialstretching. Examples of zero strain materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 2,075,189, 3,025,199, 4,107,364, 4,209,563, 4,834,741, and5,151,092.

Flaps

The flaps 189 (a-d) may be discrete from or integral with the chassis100. A discrete flap is formed as separate element, which is joined tothe chassis 100. In some embodiments, this includes a plurality offlaps, e.g. 2 or 4 (often referred to as ear panels or side flaps) beingjoined to the side edges 137 a and b of the chassis in the front and/orrear waist regions 36 and 38 (see FIGS. 1 and 13-17). In otherembodiments this may include a front and/or back belt-like flaps(“belts”) being joined across the front and back (or rear) waist regionsof the chassis 100, at least across end edges of the chassis 136 and 138(see FIGS. 1 and 19). In some embodiments the waistbands 112 can overlapthe flaps to create a continuous belt-like structure (see FIG. 14).

The belt-like flaps and may comprise an inner nonwoven layer and anouter nonwoven layer and elastics there between. The inner and outernonwoven layers may be joined using adhesive or thermoplastic bonds.Various suitable belt-like flap configurations can be found in U.S. Pub.No. 2013-0211363.

An integral flap is a portion, one or more layers, of the chassis thatprojects laterally outward from the longitudinal edge. The integral flapmay be formed by cutting the chassis to include the shape of the flapprojection.

While many of the embodiments illustrated in this application havingbelt-like flaps are pant articles, taped articles may have belt-likeflaps disposed in one or both waist regions as well.

The structure of flaps play an important role in the functionality ofthe absorbent article and are fundamentally different than the elasticsused in underwear. As mentioned above, incontinence events, such as SUIand UUI, can result in a high flow rate and/or a full bladder release.The amounts of urine expelled during the incontinence events can varywildly given the type of urinary incontinence as well as othercircumstances such as time since last bathroom visit, amount of fluidintake, day or night, etc. Loadings can range from as low as a few dropsof urine to loadings as high as 600 mls. It is not unusual to havesingle loadings as high as 300, 400 and even 500 mls. These levels ofloading present a significant downward force associated with the loadingwhich can be a pound or more. This downward force must be compensatedfor by the absorbent article chassis in order to minimize sagging,gapping and leakage. In order to sustain the fit of the article evenafter loading the article comprises elastomeric element(s) 146,including films and/or strands) that are disposed proximate to and alongthe side seams 280 a and b (see, for example, FIG. 15, where theelastomeric elements 146 terminate proximate to and along the length ofthe seams 280 a and b) of the article and extend laterally from one sidetoward the other. These elastomeric element(s) should create a normalforce against the body sufficient to anchor the article. The location ofthe elastomeric element(s), as well as the forces exerted by theelastomeric element(s) can be varied to ensure proper anchoring at thehips and along the body specifically across the front waist region andin the back waist region. One form of anchoring beneficial forsustaining the fit of a loaded article is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,358,500 Absorbent Articles Providing Sustained Dynamic Fit issued Oct.25, 1994 to LaVon, et al. It should also be noted that regular underwearwith elastic along the waist edge and leg edges would not typicallyprovide sufficient support to sustain the fit of the underwear if aweight of 300-600 grams was applied to the crotch region of theunderwear. This paragraph illustrates another fundamental reason whyproper Body Rise/Length of the absorbent article is key to maintaincontact and gasketing, as well as proper anchoring on the body toovercome the fit degrading forces associated with high loadings.

The seams 280 a and b may each be from about 150 mm to about 200 mm,from about 160 mm to about 190 mm, or from about 170 mm to about 180 mm.The seams are the portions of the flap that overlap (i.e., the distancefrom the waist opening to the leg opening of the overlapped or abuttedflaps).

Fastening System

The absorbent article may also include a fastening system. Whenfastened, the fastening system interconnects the front waist region 36and the rear waist region 38 resulting in a waist circumference that mayencircle the wearer during wear of the absorbent article 10. Thefastened elements connecting the front and back waist regions formrefastenable side seams. This may be accomplished by flaps 189 a and bin the back waist region interconnecting with flaps 189 c and d in thefront waist region or by flaps in the back waist region interconnectingwith the chassis 100 in the front waist region. The fastening system maycomprises a fastener 53 a and b such as tape tabs, hook and loopfastening components, interlocking fasteners such as tabs & slots,buckles, buttons, snaps, and/or hermaphroditic fastening components,although any other known fastening means are generally acceptable. Thefasteners may releasably engage with a landing zone 118, which may be awoven or nonwoven. Some exemplary surface fastening systems aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,594; 4,662,875; 4,846,815; 4,894,060;4,946,527; 5,151,092; 5,221,274. Particularly, the flaps may beconfigured as described and illustrated in FIGS. 3A-C and 4A-k of U.S.Ser. No. 61/666,065, filed on Jun. 29, 2012, titled DISPOSABLE ABSORBENTREFASTENABLE PANTS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME. Further, theabsorbent articles of this disclosure may be manufactured in accordancewith the descriptions and illustrations of U.S. Ser. No. 61/666,065(see, for example, FIGS. 5-10C of the '065 application). An exemplaryinterlocking fastening system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,098.The fastening system may also provide a means for holding the article ina disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,140. Thefastening system may also include primary and secondary fasteningsystems, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,622. The fastening systemmay be constructed to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or toimprove fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,436; 5,499,978;5,507,736; and 5,591,152.

Identical or Substantially Identical Chassis

As disclosed in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355, it may be desirable to offeran array of packages for fitting different sized wearers, but comprisingidentical or substantially identical chassis. For instance, an array maycomprise a first package comprising a first size of absorbent articlesand a second package may comprise a second size of absorbent articles,where the first and second packages comprise identical or substantiallyidentical chassis as described in U.S. Pub. No. 2013-0211355. Moreparticularly, the first package may comprise a first chassis and thesecond package may comprise a second chassis, where each of the firstand second chassis comprise the same dimensions of one or more of: corewidth at the lateral centerline, core width at one of the front or rearcore end, a distance from a left outer cuff distal edge to a right outercuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff distal edge to aleft outer cuff distal edge, a distance from a left inner cuff proximaledge to a right inner cuff proximal edge, a distance from a left innercuff proximal edge to a left outer cuff distal edge, a free height ofthe inner cuff, inner cuff hem fold width, inner cuff elastics length,outer cuff elastics length, core length, and backsheet width.

Further, each of the first and second chassis may comprise identicalchemical compositions of one or more of a topsheet, backsheet film,backsheet nonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, corenonwoven, core tissue, leg cuff film, leg cuff nonwoven, super absorbentpolymer adhesive, core nonwoven adhesive, leg cuff elastic adhesive, andbacksheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise the same basisweight of one or more of the topsheet, backsheet film, backsheetnonwoven, core super absorbent polymers, core pulp, leg cuff nonwoven,leg cuff film, super absorbent polymer adhesive, leg cuff adhesive, andbacksheet nonwoven/film adhesive.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise compositionallyidentical core super absorbent polymers. The first and second chassismay have identical component cross sectional order and disposition in atleast one of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotchregion. The inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may becomposed of the compositionally identical materials.

And, the core adhesives of the first and second chassis may be the sameadhesive(s). The first and second chassis may comprise core superabsorbent polymers that are in the same chemical class and subclass.

And, each of the first and second chassis may comprise first and secondwetness indicators, respectively, and wherein the first and secondwetness indicators are compositionally identical.

Further, the inner leg cuffs of the first and second chassis may haveidentical component cross sectional order and disposition in at leastone of the front waist region, back waist region, and crotch region. Thedistance from the left outer cuff distal edge to a right outer cuffdistal edge may the same. The distance from the left inner cuff proximaledge to left outer cuff distal edge may be the same. The distance fromthe left inner cuff proximal edge to the right inner cuff proximal edgeis the same. The lengths of the inner and outer cuffs are the same.

In some embodiments, different size offerings in an array may haveidentical or substantially identical chassis as the flaps or belts maybe used to enable the absorbent article to fit different sized wearers.For example, first and second absorbent articles may have identicalchassis (compositionally, dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but thefirst article may have a different length due to disposition of thebelts, such that the first article may be targeted to fit a smallerwearer than the second article. As a second example, first and secondabsorbent articles may have identical chassis (compositionally,dimensionally, cross-sectionally), but the first article may have adifferent length and/or width due to the size of the belts, such thatthe first article may be targeted to fit a smaller wearer than thesecond article.

In some embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may haveidentical chassis compositionally, but not dimensionally, and notcross-sectionally. In some embodiments, first and second absorbentarticles may have identical chassis dimensionally, but notcompositionally, and not cross-sectionally. In some embodiments, firstand second absorbent articles may have identical chassiscross-sectionally, but not dimensionally, and not compositionally. Instill other embodiments, first and second absorbent articles may havetwo, but not three of (1) compositionally, (2) dimensionally, and (3)cross-sectionally identical chassis.

Test Methods Product Measurement Preparation

All measurements are conducted at 22° C.+/−2° and 50% RH+/−20%.

Physical Measurements

Each of the measurements below is to be conducted on 10 separate likespecimens and the average of the 10 separate like specimens isconsidered to be the measurement for that specific specimen set.

Product Length of an Absorbent Article

Defined as the longitudinal distance between the_first waist edge 136 tothe second waist edge 138 as shown in FIG. 1. For a closed form pant,the product is cut along the side seams 280 a and 280 b (see FIG. 15).The product is held at the first waist edge 136. The second waist edge138 is pulled longitudinally with a force of 20 N (4.5 lbs) along thedirection of the longitudinal axis 42. The average of severalmeasurements of the distance between the first waist edge 136 and secondwaist edge 138 as measured along the length of the product is consideredto be the Product Length.

Each of the measurements above is recorded to within +/−1.0 mm.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article having a central chassis,the central chassis comprising a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbentcore, the absorbent article comprising: a front waist region and a frontwaist edge; a back waist region and a back waist edge; a front beltdisposed in the front waist region; a back belt disposed in the backwaist region; wherein the front and back belts are joined at seams toform a waist opening and leg openings; wherein the front belt comprisesa first film; wherein the back belt comprises a second film; a pluralityof elastic strands disposed along a portion of the leg openings; whereinthe article has a Product Length and a Target Rise; wherein the ProductLength is within about +/−40 mm of the Target Rise.
 2. The absorbentarticle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second filmsare elastomeric.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein theabsorbent core comprises cellulosic fibers.
 4. The absorbent article ofclaim 1, wherein the absorbent core comprises absorbent gellingmaterial.
 5. The absorbent article of claim 1, further comprising agraphic.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the seams arerefastenable.
 7. The absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof elastics are disposed between a film layer of the backsheet and anonwoven layer of the backsheet.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the absorbent article appears black when viewed on a wearer. 9.An array of packages comprising two or more different sizes of absorbentarticles, the array comprising: a first package comprising a firstabsorbent article having a first size; a second package comprising asecond absorbent article having a second size; wherein the firstabsorbent article comprises: a front waist region and a front waistedge; a back waist region and a back waist edge; a front belt disposedin the front waist region; a back belt disposed in the back waistregion; wherein the front and back belts are joined at seams to form awaist opening and leg openings; wherein the front belt comprises a firstfilm; wherein the back belt comprises a second film; a plurality ofelastic strands disposed along a portion of the leg openings; whereinthe second absorbent article comprises: a front waist region and a frontwaist edge; a back waist region and a back waist edge; a front beltdisposed in the front waist region; a back belt disposed in the backwaist region; wherein the front and back belts are joined at seams toform a waist opening and leg openings; wherein the front belt comprisesa first film; wherein the back belt comprises a second film; wherein anArray Average Length Difference of at least the first and secondabsorbent articles in the array is less than about 65 mm and greaterthan about negative 10 mm.
 10. The array of packages of claim 9, whereinthe first and second packages comprise the same brand name.
 11. Thearray of packages of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first andsecond films of at least one of the first and second absorbent articlesare elastomeric.
 12. The array of packages of claim 9, wherein each ofthe first and second absorbent articles comprise an absorbent corecomprising cellulosic fibers.
 13. The array of packages of claim 9,wherein each of the absorbent cores comprises absorbent gellingmaterial.
 14. The array of packages of claim 9, wherein the first andsecond absorbent articles each comprise a graphic.
 15. The array ofpackages of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and secondabsorbent articles comprises refastenable seams.
 16. The array ofpackages of claim 9, wherein the plurality of elastics of at least oneof the absorbent articles are disposed between a film layer of thebacksheet and a nonwoven layer of the backsheet.
 17. The array ofpackages of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and secondarticles appears black when viewed on a wearer.
 18. The array ofpackages of claim 9, wherein the Array Average Length Difference of atleast the first and second absorbent articles in the array is less thanabout 65 mm and greater than about 0 mm.
 19. The array of packages ofclaim 9, further comprising a third package comprising a third absorbentarticle having a third size.
 20. The array of packages of claim 19,wherein the Array Average Length Difference of at least the first,second, and third absorbent articles in the array is less than about 85mm and greater than about negative 20 mm.
 21. The array of packages ofclaim 19, wherein the first, second, and third packages comprise thesame brand name.
 22. The array of packages of claim 19, wherein at leasttwo of the first, second, and third absorbent articles comprise chassishaving identical cross-sectional dispositions.
 23. The array of packagesof claim 19, wherein at least one of the first, second, and thirdabsorbent articles appears black when viewed on a wearer.
 24. The arrayof packages of claim 19, wherein at least one of the first, second, andthird absorbent articles has a Product Length and a Target Rise, whereinthe Product Length of the at least one article is less than the TargetRise.
 25. The array of packages of claim 19, wherein at least two of thefirst, second, and third absorbent articles has a Product Length and aTarget Rise, wherein the Product Length of the at least two articles isless than the Target Rise.
 26. The array of packages of claim 19,wherein the third absorbent article comprises: a front waist region anda front waist edge; a back waist region and a back waist edge; a frontbelt disposed in the front waist region; a back belt disposed in theback waist region; wherein the front and back belts are joined at seamsto form a waist opening and leg openings; wherein the front beltcomprises a first film; wherein the back belt comprises a second film;and a plurality of elastic strands disposed along a portion of the legopenings.
 27. The array of packages of claim 9, wherein an averagetargeted waist of at least two of the products is different and whereina relaxed product length of the at least two product is different. 28.The array of packages of claim 26, wherein the first and second packageshave the same sub-brand name.
 29. The array of packages of claim 28,wherein the first and second packages have the same trademarks.
 30. Thearray of packages of claim 19, further comprising a fourth packagecomprising a fourth absorbent article having a fourth size.